Staff

Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Church is staffed by a dedicated group of individuals waiting to help you, and there are a number of ways to get in touch with them. From e-mail to telephone, LNPC is set to receive your prayer requests, comments, suggestions, concerns, assistance, and more.

For specific information on how to contact LNPC, and the people you should talk to when you do send us your thoughts, please read below:

Church Staff

Pastor:Rev. James Szeyller
As a senior pastor, Jim has expanded on his passions of youth, missions and evangelism, to embrace both worship and spiritual formation as transformative experiences for every member of the church family. Jim maintains a strong interest in church revitalization and growth as well as exploring what church can become in our rapidly changing culture and world.In his spare time Jim still enjoys almost all sports with particular passions for the Chargers, Padres, and New York Rangers. Jim enjoys travel with his wife Becky, particularly to the Holy land, as well as reading, fishing, gardening, and anything to do with his grandchildren.

Pastoral Care Associate:Rev. Anette RihovskyAnette is an ordained minister in the PCUSA, and works as the full-time staff chaplain at a local hospital. She has been serving in ministry for over twenty years, focused on pastoral care.
Originally from Sweden, she came to the United States to take her pilot license. Both Anette and her husband George enjoy flying, reading, and writing. They live in San Clemente, where they love spending time with their three children, two grandchildren, and dog.

Minister of Children and Families:Debbie GaraDebbie is an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church with a specialty in Christian Education. She has been involved in ministry with children and families throughout her 18 years of service. She was a preschool teacher before her call to Ministry.
She and her husband Dan live in Laguna Niguel. They love going to movies and to the beach. She also loves being a grandma, yoga and gardening.

Director of Youth Ministries:John DentonI have been working in full-time youth ministry for the last decade of my life. I have my Bachelors Degree in Christian Studies from California Baptist University. I want to serve God and his church with all my heart and in everything I do.
My favorite movie franchise right now would have to be The Hunger Games. I am a fan of most movies and enjoy going to the theater as much as possible.
I enjoy spending time with my family. My wife Stephanie and daughter Sailor provide endless adventures. I am a avid surfer and also am a fan of sailing. I also like running, swimming, Angels baseball, and eating Del Taco.
If I could travel anywhere in the world, I would go where there is warm water, fishing, surfing, and my family. Stephanie and I also enjoy short weekend getaways and drives up and down the California coast.

Music Minister:Dr. Binh VuBinh Vu entered the Conservatoire of Music in Saigon at the age of 11. At the age of 15, in one of his routine afternoon prayer sessions, as he prayed for one of the items on the church’s prayer list—for God to create a young adult choir for the church—he received the call to be the leader of that choir. In addition to singing for their church services, they also sang at worship festivals and Christian programs on TV and radio all around Saigon. Since then, Binh has continued to serve God and God’s church in the music ministry everywhere God has led him. It is by the grace of God that Binh is where he is today, geographically and socially. He asked God to enable him to continue to grow both spiritually, especially in the area of Christian worship, and in Music. As always, he is striving to be a “faithful servant of the Lord.”
One thing he would like to pursue but has not yet been able to begin: he wants to learn to get an airplane pilot’s license. That wish is still too far out of reach. Perhaps it is because no one in his family is willing to go to Catalina in a small airplane with him in the pilot seat.

Assistant Music Director:Lee Lee Truong-SawickiLee Lee joined LNPC in the fall of 2006. She holds a Bachelors of Arts in Music Education with a Vocal-Choral Emphasis from California State University, Fullerton and is certified in the Orff-Schulwerk Music and Movement for Children teaching approach. She has completed Master Classes in Conducting, attended numerous conducting symposiums, and is certified in the Orff-Schulwerk Music and Movement for Children teaching approach. Currently, Lee Lee follows her passion of enabling and educating children in Khoi Chorus and Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Church.

Organist: Suk ChoiSuk learned to play piano at an early age. As a child, she accompanied the choir at her family’s church, where her piano teacher directed. Ever since, she got the bench of either piano or organ whenever there was one. She went on to obtain a B.A. in Piano from Seoul National University. When her children started school, she pursued her Master’s degree in Organ Performance from SUNY Buffalo with the encouragement of her husband. In 2004, she and her family moved to Southern California and she joined Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Church that same year. She loves to play Mark Hayes’ piano music. She and her family enjoy Southern California living, especially the variety of ethnic food.

Office Manager:Heather HilderbrandHi! I grew up in the Christian faith, super grateful for loving Godly grandparents on both sides! My maternal grandparents even sent me to Christian camp for Easter and summer vacation every year, from the time I was 9 years-old. I later volunteered at that same camp. I’m happy that God brought me to LNPC, where I can put my lengthy admin career to good use, but even better, love me some people! I’m the proud mom of 3 young men. My oldest is Luke and I have twins, Gabriel and Drew (Andrew). I love spending time with my boys, reading & writing, baking/cooking, horses, going to the beach and so much more! I’m eternally grateful for Jesus’ sacrifice and hope to be a blessing to everyone I can…including you!

Sunday Services10:00 am Celebration Service: An exciting blend of the traditional, organ and choir, with the joy of praise music. 4:30 pm The Gathering: An informal fellowship of praise music followed by a light supper.